K-water highlights AI-powered water management technologies at CES

Yoon Seok-dae, front row third from left, CEO of Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-water), poses with representatives of 21 partner companies during the opening ceremony of the K-water pavilion at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Tuesday (local time). Courtesy of K-water

Korea Water Resources Corp. (K-water) is using the global stage of CES 2026 in Las Vegas to showcase artificial intelligence (AI)-driven water management technologies, reflecting Korea’s broader ambition to compete in the emerging market for AI-powered water systems.

The event is expected to provide a platform for K-water to present its approach to AI water management, which combines public sector operational expertise with technologies developed by private firms. The initiative comes as Korea prepares to implement its new Framework Act on Intelligent Informatization, amid the growing integration of AI across public services.

K-water has accumulated extensive experience applying AI across water management, including AI-powered water treatment plants and digital twin systems that simulate real-world water infrastructure. Proven in flood response operations in Korea, the technologies have already been exported to Saudi Arabia and Japan, and are now entering the U.S. market.

Of the 21 domestic water-tech companies participating alongside K-water, seven have earned CES Innovation Awards, highlighting the growing competitiveness of Korea’s water technology ecosystem.

Among the award recipients, startup DummDumm won a Best of Innovation award for a drone system capable of autonomously collecting water samples and analyzing water quality in real time. Other recognized technologies include Stellarvision’s satellite-based monitoring system for floods and droughts, LEEBIO’s AI-powered early warning solution for water quality anomalies and Mobilio’s autonomous robots designed to inspect water treatment facilities.

The move reflects a shift from labor-intensive, highly skilled work long performed by humans to systems driven by AI and digital technologies, a sign that the water sector’s AI transformation is gathering pace.

K-water plans to build on CES 2026 to connect public sector expertise with private sector innovation and support the expansion of Korea’s water industry into overseas markets.

“The event provides an opportunity to share these efforts and direction with the global community, and we hope that AI-driven water management led jointly by the public and private sectors will grow into a new form of K-culture and a future growth industry,” said K-water CEO Yoon Seok-dae.